Horses In Harness Report
With Pam Mackenzie

Report from Horse & Pony December 2010 - January 2011

Draft community suffers losses

It seems we have gone from summer to winter here with little fall weather to break the chill. It is nice to have no flies! We passed the summer trail hitching horses including our Percheron, Fred, with his new buddy, Zoom, a black Arabian. It was a unique mixed match of blacks that allowed the fine old gentleman Fred to pass on his knowledge and calm to the harness newcomer.

The interest in combined driving is definitely increasing in Nova Scotia; 16 competitors (two minis, eight ponies, and six horses) braved the cold winds and low temperatures at the Bona Morgan Farm Combined Driving Event on Oct. 23 in Coldbrook, N.S. With new signage on the marathon course, a complicated cones competition (18 obstacles), and a preliminary level dressage test, the drivers and their animals were challenged at every turn.

Local drivers Tammy MacKay of Truro, N.S. and Clare MacDonald of Antigonish, N.S., have been selected to represent Canada in a 2011 Ladies International Driving Challenge slated for Sweden.

The draft horse community has experienced a number of losses this autumn; the week of the Maritime Fall Fair, Percheron horse circles were especially stricken. Winifred "Winnie" Corbin, age 63, of Mount Denson, Hants Co., N.S., (formerly of Kearney Lake, N.S.), passed away Oct. 3 at home. She and her husband Ed loved feeding and treating their Percheron horses.
Carl Roode (67) of North River, N.S., passed away suddenly Oct. 8. He had a passion for heavy horses and was a well-known teamster who drove to many championships. Roode continued to pursue his draft interest even while coping with serious illness the past few years.
Well-known Percheron breeder Ross Howe of Fredericton, N.B., age 79, passed away Oct. 8 following a lengthy illness. It is said he worked hard, drove hard, and played hard all his life. He raised purebred Hereford cattle and Percheron horses. At 63 he drove his first competitive six-horse hitch in a show ring.
As well, Muriel Creelman passed away on Oct. 30 following a lengthy illness. She was the wife of the late Kenneth Creelman, founder of the Cape Cod Percheron Hitch. Sympathies are extended to all of their family members, and many friends throughout the horse community.
Condolences are also extended to the family and friends of Myrlan Dillman of Cooks Brook, N.S., age 55, who passed away Nov. 14 after some serious health issues. He was a draft horse enthusiast who rarely missed going to a horse pull.

At the Maritime Fall Fair a combined light horse and draft memorial service was held in the show ring remembering Maureen Crory-Gorman, age 53, of Sackville, N.S. She passed away on her birthday Sept. 21 as the result of a tragic riding accident at a horse show. She competed in several disciplines, and touched many lives. Condolences go out to husband Wayne; her sister Patti, step children, many friends and family.

The N.B. Provincial 4-H Show was held Sept. 4-5 at the Fredericton Exhibition grounds. There were seven 4-H members exhibiting from Kings County 4-H and New Maryland 4-H Club in the Draft Horse Project.

Playing to a packed house on the final day of Atlantic Breeders Crown, Waiting On A Woman in line to Corey MacPherson for Prince Edward Island connections Mitchell and David Tierney, set a new track record for two-year-old trotters in Truro covering the ground in a brisk 201.2.

The seventh annual NSPE Select Yearling sale had 48 of the finest colts and fillies pass through the Bible Hill sale ring for 23 of the Maritime's most prestigious and proficient breeders.

The Cape Cod Percherons won the six-horse hitch at the World Percheron Congress, in Des Moines, Iowa. This championship was a three-part competition under three different judges. The hitch came first each heat. They also topped the gelding unicorn hitch, and open four-abreast. They are now off to the Royal Winter Fair in Ontario.

Congratulations to Thunder Hill Percherons and the Fiske family – we hear their stallion, Domino, did them proud at the Percheron World Congress as well.

2010 was another successful year for the Atlantic Draft Horse Futurity. In the two-year-old competition, four of the five returned to compete in the three divisions of the futurity, all of which were Percherons. First place went to Matthew Hornbrook of Mount Middleton, N.B., with his mare Landslide Leigh, taking home $1,323. Second place went to Derek Lackie and Tommy Storey of Sussex, N.B., with their gelding Cracker Jack taking home $992.25. Third place went to Harry and Donalda Storey of Berwick, N.B., with their gelding Meadow View Spud taking home $661.50, while fourth place went to Paul Crothers of Drury's Cove, N.B. with his gelding Valley Road Josh taking home $330.75. Along with these prizes, there was also a breeder's payout to the top three horses. Hornbrook was the breeder, so his first place mare received another $183.75. Second went to Chris Bushell of Aylesford, N.S., who got $122.50. In third, Harry Storey received $61.25.
New this year was a change to the nomination system. You can nominate any foal from the current year (2010) before December 31, 2010. You are required to fill out a nomination form along with $100 entry fee and the foal must be micro-chipped. The Futurity no longer has the auction so they need to raise money for the "pot." Nomination fees are as follows: Nominated foal as a yearling, you need to pay $200 by the end of that year (2011). Then in the final year you need to pay the last fee of $100 before April 30, 2012. In total, every foal entered will have contributed $400 by the time of competition in 2012. This is a trial run to see how this system works. If you have questions or want a nomination form, contact Holly Storey, 506-433-3983 or Sarah Hayes, 506-432-1819, or any other committee member.

The N.B. Percheron Association (NBPA) Draft Horse show was held Oct. 1-3 at the Princess Louise Park Show Centre in Sussex. The judge for the weekend was Neill Sandwith of Fredericton. Numbers were down this year, but fun was had by all who attended. This year only Percherons and four draft ponies exhibited. The weekend started out a wet one but dried up on Sunday. Supreme horse of the show went to Belle View Miss Michigan owned by Matthew and Brenda Hornbrook. She also took Grand Champion mare, receiving a ribbon donated by the NBPA.
The annual meeting was held in mid-November. For details, contact Secretary Holly Storey, 506-433-3983.

In answer to Roz Moskovitz's mystery driver, as noted in the last issue, Ardith Hatch says it is James Kaloc of West River Station. James, if you're reading this, send us a photo of your horses!

All the best for the holiday season. May the sleigh rides begin and 2011 be full of fun and laughter for all.

Share your news, pictures, club activities, newsletters and tidbits about draft horses, draft horse, people, and horses in harness. Write to Pam MacKenzie, 1100 #2 Highway, RR 2, Brookfield, NS B0N 1C0, or phone 902-673-3409.